Tuesday, August 31, 2021

09-10-15: How We Break Each Other's Hearts And Cause Each Other Pain

"Why Try To Change Me Now" is a standard written by Cy Coleman and first recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1952. This mix features Sinatra as well as versions by Bob Dylan, Jimmy Scott and Fiona Apple.

"Can't Seem To Make You Min" was written and recorded by Sky Saxon in 1965 for his band The Seeds. This mix features the original as well as covers by Johnny Thunders & Patty Palladin, Yo La Tengo and Alex Chilton.

One other song repeats this week: Harry Chapin's #1 hit "Cat's In The Cradle" from 1974, along with a cover by Johnny Cash from a decade later.

The rest: Lou Reed's urgent "There Is No Time", Bruce Cloud's pop soul single "My Book", Mos Def and Talib Kweli's project Black Star with "Hater Players", Sun Ra's playful "Rocket Number Nine", Ka's contemplative "Grateful", a demo version of Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back To Me", A.A. Gray & Five-Foot Dilly with the Biblical "The Old Ark's A-Moving", Public Enemy's layered "Brothers Gonna Work It Out", the vocal track from The Clash's cover of The Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought The Law", a cover of The Clash's "Straight To Hell" and take 2 of George Harrison's mournful "Isn't It A Pity".


Tuesday, April 13, 2021

09-03-15: I'ma Be That Seed That Doesn't Need That Much To Succeed

"Theme From Valley Of The Dolls" was composed by Andre and Dory Previn in 1967 for the film of the same name. It was intended for Judy Garland, who was then fired from the film. Dionne Warwick was given the song, and it became a big hit but could not be included on the film soundtrack. The soundtrack version, included here, begins with a spoken word piece by the film's star Barbara Perkins and is sung by the song's co-writer Dory Previn and conducted by Johnny Williams, later known simply as John Williams who later composed film scores for Jaws, Star Wars and many more films. Other versions featured on this mix include covers by Dorothy Ashby, Shawn Colvin, K.D. Lang and live versions by Ahmad Jamal and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

One other song repeats on the mix: Jane's acapella "It's A Fine Day" from 1983, later redone as a dance track in 1992 by Opus III.

Led Zeppelin's "Everybody Makes It Through The Night" is an early version of their "In The Light", featured on a previous mix, from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.

The rest: Kendrick Lamar's cautionary "Humble", Peter Ivers' demo version of his Eraserhead soundtrack piece "In Heaven", the dreamy "Did U Ever Notice" by Travis Bretzer, a mash up of Beatles covers and epehemera against Wu-Tang Clan's "Back In The Game", a cover of Hall & Oates' "Kiss On My List" by The Bird And The Bee", Hall & Oates' folky "I'll Be By", the jangly "All That Stuff' by The Windbreakers, a demo version of "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M., the hushed "Some People Sleep" by The Tokens, DMX's heart-tugging "Slippin'" and the spiritual "Inside The Pearly Gates" by Florida-Alabama Progressive Seven-Shape-Note Singing Convention.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

08-27-15: Losing The Candy You Should Be Winning

"Maybe I'm Amazed" is a song from Paul McCartney's 1970 debut album McCartney. A live version by his band Wing became a top ten hit several years later, but his original was never a song. A previous mix included the studio album version by The Faces. This mix features the album version along with covers by Sunday's Child, Zulema, Lena Horne, Bettye Lavette and The Faces performing live on the BBC.

"Stakes Is High" is credited to "Fela Soul", a mash up of the music of Fela Kuti against the original De La Soul vocals for their song "Stakes Is High".

The rest: the demo version of PJ Harvey's version of "This Is Love", Al Jolson's chipper take of the old standard "Me And My Gal", the blissful "Ain't Nothing But A Love Thang" by Peace Love And Happiness, the Madlib-produced "Closer" by his alter ego Quasimoto with the MF Doom guest spot in a Madvillain reunion, Rose Murphy's playful "Busy Line", Amaarae's rhythmic "Hellz Angel", the percussive "Malukayi" by Mbongwana Star featuring Konono No 1, the dramatic "Somebody's Gonna Off The Man" by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, the tender "Sugar Rose" by Fats Waller, the languorous "Sugar Shuffle" by Lynsey De Paul, Lea Delaria's jazzy cover of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun", ex-soundgarden singer Chris Cornell's cover of John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels" and the Escher demo version of The Beatles' "Dear Prudence".

Monday, February 1, 2021

08-20-15: We Did This Research For True Nerds And Two Birds

This mix is dedicated to the memory of MF DOOM. His music bookends the mix with the Madlib reunion track "Avalanche" and his early non-album single "Is He Ill?" In between, his debut album track "Gas Drawls", the unofficially released Jay Electronica collaboration "True Lightyears", "Rapp Snitch Knishes" from his 2004 album MM..Food and "That's That" from his final album Born Like This from 2009. 

"Begin The Beguine" is a song written by Cole Porter and first performed by June Knight for the 1935 musical Jubilee. This mix features versions by Ella Fitzgerald with The Buddy Bregman Orchestra, Louie Prima & Keely Smith, Neal Hefti & His Orchestra with The Ray Charles Choir as well as a demo version by Pete Townshend and an extended mix of Johnny Mathis' disco hit.

"Souvenirs" is a song written by John Prine for his 1972 album Diamonds In The Rough. This mix features covers by Bettye Lavette, Country Gentlemen, Maggie Bell and Paul Westerberg alias Grandpaboy.

The rest: Ernest & Hattie Stoneman's "The Road To Washington", The Velvet Underground-esque "Bright Lights" by England's Glory, the melodic "Mystery" by Wipers, the acoustic take one of Smashing Pumpkins' "Medellia Of The Grey Skies" and Don Covay's version of Morris Albert's standard "Feelings".


Wednesday, December 30, 2020

08-13-15: Is There Only Pain And Hatred And Misery?

"Walk On The Wild Side" is a top twenty single from Lou Reed's 1972 album Transformer. It, alone with a contemporary saxophone-driven cover by Peter North, has appeared on a previous mix. This mix features covers by Herbie Mann, Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians, Jesse Malin and Joseph Arthur.

"Hushabye Mountain" written for the 1968 children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This mix features versions by Tony Bennett, Julie London and both the album and demo versions by Bobbie Gentry.

One other song repeats on this mix: the Nick Lowe-written "(What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love And Understanding)", here with Elvis Costello & The Attractions 1978 version produced by Lowe as well as a recent cover by Sharon Van Etten with Josh Homme.

The rest: the ominous "Shape Your Mind To Die" by Leon Thomas, Michigan's MC Breed with the west coast influenced "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'", Randy & The Goats' Lou Reed-esque "N.Y. Survivor". Reed's acoustic take of "Busload Of Faith", MF Doom and Madlib supegroup Madvillain with the witty "All Caps", Bobby Womack's wise "Love Ain't Something You Can Get For Free", KA's reflective "Every Now And Then", Suzanne Vega's original a cappella version of "Tom's Diner", Sinead O'Connor's cover of Nirvana's "All Apologies", Washington Phillips' with the spiritual "A Mother's Last Word To Her Daughter" and Infinity Song's version of "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees.

08-06-15: We Stay In The Air Like Aerosol To Carry Y'All

"This Land Is Your Land" is a folk song written by Woody Guthrie in 1940 in response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". The late 30s Kate Smith version had irritated him and he borrowed the melody from The Carter Family song "When The World's On Fire". Previous mixes included an alternate version by Guthrie and a young Bob Dylan performing a spare version. This mix includes Guthrie's original along with covers by Odetta, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Waterboys and Bob Dylan performing a live rehearsal version with The Rolling Thunder Revue.

One other song repeats on this mix: Ruby Andrews' 1967 single "Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)", here with a cover by Loleatta Holloway from her 1975 album Cry To Me.

The rest: Angelique Kidjo's cover of Talking Heads' "Listening Wind", Smif-N-Wessum's Jamaica-inflected "Sound Bwoy Bureill", U-Roy's Trojan Records release "Dynamic Fasion Way", Talib Kweli & Hi Tek's late 90s collaboration as Reflection Eternal called "On Mission", Barry White's straightforward "Now I'm Gonna Make Love To You", Freddie Gibbs' collaboration with The Alchemist and Rick Ross on the Scottie Pippen-inspired "Scottie Beam". Bobby Dukes' sweet "Just To Be With You", Richie Havens' cover of Bob Dylan's "I Pity The Poor Immigrant", Bill Callahan and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's cover of Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" with Bill Mackay, Charlie Parker's late period chorus-laden "Old Folks", Professor Johnson & His Gospel Singers' rousing "Angels", Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou's haunting "Tenkou Why Feel Sorry" and the bizarrely cheerful "(Satan Has Been) Paralyzed" by David Ingles.


                                    


Thursday, November 12, 2020

07-30-15: Did I Ever Really Care That Much?

"Storms" is a song written by Stevie Nicks for Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album Tusk. This mix collects two demo versions and covers by Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Camper Van Beethoven to accompany the original album version.

"I Wonder If I Care As Much" was originally a b-side to the 1957 single Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers, who re-recorded a much heavier guitar version in 1968. Both versions are here along with a cover in the latter version's style by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Phantom Family Halo and a version recorded by Neil Young with primitive recording equipment.

The rest: an early version of Prince's "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man", the 7 inch single version of Raydio's playful "More Than One Way To Love A Woman", hip hop duo JJ Doom's disturbing "GMO" featuring Beth Gibbons, a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" by Infinity Song, the take 1 solo version of Bob Dylan's "A Simple Twist Of Fate", Beth Orton and M Ward's cover of Dylan's "Buckets Of Rain", a solo piano version of The Rolling Stones' "A Hundred Years Ago", Busta Rhymes' Jackson 5-sampling "Look Over Your Shoulder" with Kendrick Lamar, the sublime "Bad Boy" by The Jive Bombers and Dr. Octagon's foreboding "Black Hole Son".

I Wonder If I Care As Much                  The Everly Brothers

Sunday, August 30, 2020

07-23-15: And I Can Be Inside Your Dreams

"Is That All There Is?" is a Leiber & Stoller song first made a hit by Peggy Lee in late 1969. This mix features her hit recording, a live recording by her as well as a 1980 no wave version by Cristina.

"Flowers" is the opening track from the 1988 debut album Today by Galaxie 500. This mix features that version as well as covers by Slow Down, Molasses and Orange Cake Mix.

One other song repeats here: Slim Harpo's 1960 blues recording "Buzz Me Babe", with a 1975 rock cover by The Count Bishops.

The rest: Sun Ra's apt "I Am Strange", the eerie "It Never Rains In Outer Space" by Futurhythm, the proto hiphop track "Fly Guy And The Unemployed" by Ramsey 2d - 3d, Black Thought's Swizz Beats-produced "Good Morning" with Pusha T and Killer Mike, The Normal's sardonic "T.V.O.D.", Helen Humes' bouncy 1945 single "Be-Baba-Leba", the percussive "Wig Out" by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Chocolate Watchband's psychedelic-tinged cover of Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" simply titled "Baby Blue", Justin Townes Earle's cover of The Replacements' "Can't Hardly Wait", Replacements leader Paul Westerberg's melancholic "A Star Is Bored", the original Australian version of Air Supply's "Lost In Love", an incomplete take of Bob Dylan's "I Want You" from his 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue rehearsals and Charlie Parker performing a version of his Neal Hefti-co-written "Repetition" live at Birdland.

Is That All There Is?                               Peggy Lee
I Am Strange                                           Sun Ra
It Never Rains In Outer Space                Futurhythm
Fly Guy And The Unemployed              Ramsey 2c - 3d
Flowers                                                   Galaxie 500
Buzz Me Babe                                        Slim Harpo
Good Morning                  Black Thought ft. Pusha T & Killer Mike
T.V.O.D.                                                  The Normal
Is That All There Is?                               Cristina
Be-Baba-Laba                                         Helen Hume
Wig Out (my edit)                                   Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
Flowers                                                   Slow Down, Molasses
Buzz Me Babe                                        The Count Bishops
Baby Blue                                               Chocolate Watchband
Can't Hardly Wait                                   Justin Townes Earle
A Star Is Bored                                       Paul Westerberg
Lost In Love (orig ver)                           Air Supply
Flowers                                                   Orange Cake Mix
I Want You (incomplete rehearsal)         Bob Dylan
Is That All There Is? (live)                     Peggy Lee
Repetition (live at Birdland)                  Charlie Parker


               


Sunday, August 2, 2020

07-16-15: Advertising Lies That Are Whiter Than Yours

"Hey Joe" was first copyrighted as a song in 1962 but its authorship has been contested ever since. The first commercially released version was by The Leaves in 1965, soon followed by the iconic recording by The Jimi Hendrix Experience the following year. Those versions are here with subsequent versions by Cher, Wilson Pickett and Patti Smith with some improvised rap at the beginning of her debut single.

"Lotta Love" is a song from Neil Young's 1978 album Comes A Time, and was a top ten hit for his former back-up singer Nicolette Larson the following year. Previous mixes have featured both of those versions as well as Young performing it live. This mix collects versions by Dinosaur Jr., Sharifah Ani, The Laurie Bower Singers and She & Him.

One other song repeats on this mix: "Something In The Night" from Bruce Springsteen's 1978 album Darkness On The Edge Of Town, here with a cover by Matthew Ryan.

The rest: the pulsating "We Are So Fragile" by Gary Numan & Tubeway Army, a cover of his hit "Cars" by Katzenjammers, DJ Muggs' sinister "Assassination Day" with MF Doom and Kool G Rap, the educational beat piece "Basic Hip" by Del Close and John Brent, the wry "Break The Ice At Parties" by Tesco Bombers, the hushed and harsh "Bum Leg" by Cake, Kamal Hassan's giddy "Vikram Vikram", the Madlib-produced "Black Mirror" by Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, the Thom Bell-produced "The Track Of The Cat" by Dionne Warwick, the confident "The Fruits Of The Spirit" by Jay Electronica and Michael Miglio's smooth "Never Gonna Let You Go".

Hey Joe (Version)                               Patti Smith

Sunday, July 12, 2020

07-09-15: Without The You Of Us

"Strange Fruit" was written by Abel Meeropol in 1937 first as a poem, then set as lyrics to music as an anti-lynching protest song sung by his wife before it was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939. Her version, along with her last studio recording of it near the end of her life in 1956, is on this mix along with versions by The Twilight Singers, Nina Simone, Carmen McRae and Bettye Lavette. Kayne West's "Blood On The Leaves" samples both Holiday and Simone.

One other song repeats: Lonnie Mack's 1971 version of Don Nix's "Three Angels" along with Nix's version from the same year.

The rest: The DJ Premier-produced "The 6th Sense" by Common with Bilal, Argent's optimistic "Hold Your Head Up", an alternate mix of Iggy Pop's "China Girl", the recently unearthed mid 70s Neil Young track "Separate Ways", the jazzy opening track to Digable Planets' 1994 album Blowout Comb called "The May 4th Movement Starring Doodlebug", The Human League's wry "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of", the pulsating "This Could Be Love" by The Cars, Norma Tanega's philosophic "Illusion", the bittersweet "Visions" by Stevie Wonder and the stirring "Evening Breeze" by blind Ethiopian nun Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou.

Strange Fruit (1939 ver)                            Billie Holiday
The 6th Sense (my edit)                            Common & Bilal
Hold Your Head Up                                  Argent
Strange Fruit                                             The Twilight Singers
China Girl (alt ver)                                    Iggy Pop
Blood On The Leaves                               Kanye West
Strange Fruit                                             Nina Simone
Three Angels                                            Lonnie Mack
Separate Ways                                          Neil Young
Strange Fruit                                            Carmen McRae
The May 4th Movement Starring Doodlebug      Digable Planets
The Things That Dreams Are Made Of          The Human League
This Could Be Love                                  The Cars
Illusion                                                      Norma Tanega
Visions                                                      Stevie Wonder
Strange Fruit                                             Bettye Lavette
Three Angels                                            Don Nix
Evening Breeze                                        Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou
Strange Fruit  (1956 ver)                          Billie Holiday